Hi Everyone:
First, I want to thank you for signing up for Duck and Cover. If you’re wondering why I chose this name, I have been thinking a lot about the bomb drills of the 1950’s. It was a scary time for children, always thinking that at any moment, a bomb could drop on your head at school, and you’d never make it home from school. Duck and Cover was a civil defense film featuring Bert the turtle, and was the mantra of that time, meant to help students remember how to prepare for the potential of the atomic bomb.
Today, there are so many more things to be afraid of, for children and adults alike. The weaponization of religion in the service of nationalisms, politics, race, and sexuality is affecting us all. The attempts to erase history in American and other countries around the world is disturbing to say the least.
I want Duck and Cover to prepare and equip you to understand what’s happening around the world regarding religion and the weaponization of belief in the service of gaining political, social, and economic power.
Those of you who followed me on Twitter or in other social media spaces know that I used to take a lot of time to explain things about evangelicalism, race, history, or a myriad of other subjects.Now that Twitter has imploded, and some of us are still trying to find our way on other platforms, I wanted a space where you could read some deeper thoughts than my usual op-eds, and have a broader discussion about the issues and history many of you have asked me about online and in person.
Duck and Cover is the place for us to converse, to seek a better way of civic engagement in a time of struggle and the disintegration of democracy. I don’t see myself as leading anyone.. this is a conversation. You can disagree.You can agree. All I ask, is that you do it in a civil manner. Because the one thing I am always sure about is if I respect you, you should respect me. It’s just that simple.
If you don’t know me well, you can start here, here and here. I’m looking forward to getting to know you too. So pull up a chair, get your favorite libation, and let’s see how we can change the trajectory of where things are going by engaging both the past and present so that we can make better future.
Last thing. For now, Duck and Cover is free. I’m not sure how often I’ll be writing, but at least 1-2 times a month you’ll hear from me. As we move into the 2024 presidential cycle, that may definitely change. I will, however, warn you WAAAY ahead of time!
Thanks,
Prof B -Anthea
Truly looking forward to your writings and discussions. And I love the name.
I look forward to the conversation. Duck and Cover - yes I remember the drill. ‘Thought it was silly. Let’s just stand in front of the classroom windows and get it over with. Then I was drafted into a war I thought was not justified. Moved to CA to finish school (Biology and Marine Ecology) worked as an Assistant Enviromental Scientist for the Port of Los Angeles.
Then decided the only thing to do was to pray for LA. My wife and I went to seminary in NYC - both ordained Episcopal priests. Now serving in Southern Ohio. What a blessed ride. Worries: Civil discourse has gone down the tubes; White Christian Nationalism and Politics is frightening; and on going racism and social inequality is strangling the common good. I think we are on the same page...